One hundred year-old belugas were raised at the NEKA BIOS branch so that the guests and participants of the festival would release the young fish into their natural habitat – into the Volga River.
600 participants not only from Astrakhan, but also from many cities of Russia, as well as Iran, Tunisia and Morocco hosted the festival, which has been held in the region since 1997 and has already become a truly national holiday. This time, the tradition has acquired a special meaning, since 2026 has been declared the year of unity of the peoples of Russia, and the Vobla festival, which has the status of a National Event in Russia, has been declared a festival of national unity by the organizers.
"The festival is held in strict accordance with the rules of amateur fishing and according to the principle of "catch-release". A ban on fishing for roaches continues to apply in the region, and this measure is necessary for the conservation and restoration of aquatic biological resources," added the Governor of the Astrakhan Region.
VNIRO Press Service